Heralded as a “hip hop Supremes”, The 411 are a new UK four piece girl group with a unique mix of musical flavours - old and new; urban and pop – and looks to kill. The girls first single 'On My Knees' - co-written by the group themselves - is indicative of their sassy style, mixing spoken verses any 60s girl group would be proud of, with hefty hip hop production and a guest rap by former Wu Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah.
Indeed, Ghostface Killah himself was so taken with the girls - Carolyn, Suzie, Tanya and Tisha - and their song , that he’s demanded to feature the track on his own forthcoming new album.
“That shows that he really likes it,” says Carolyn, who hails from the mean streets of Kingston, rather than New York. “Because, if he didn’t he certainly wouldn’t be having it on his album, especially with a bunch of girls with English accents.”
Add to this a song penned especially for the girls by R&B superstar Ashanti and you have a new group that demands attention.
”It’s important to get respect,” says Tanya. “American groups do so well it would just be good for a British girl group to get out there and compete on a level with them. For people from England to look at us and be proud.”
As well as being written by Ashanti, the song 'No Excuses' also features a guest appearance from the UK’s own Lemar, who has been something of a mentor for The 411.
It was through the Lemar that the group actually came into being; with Tisha and Tanya first meeting when both were booked to do the backing vocals on his version of the Al Green Classic 'Let’s Stay Together.'
“We didn’t actually know each other at the time but we got chatting, as girls do, and just got on really well,” says Tanya. “There was someone visiting the studio from Sony and she said it’s a pity there’s not two more of you because you’d make a really good group.”
Seizing the moment, Tanya immediately set about finding two more singers and didn’t have to look too far: Carolyn was an old friend from Tanya’s native Surrey, whilst, Suzie was then at university with Tanya’s best friend.
The 411 was born and eighteen months later are set to release their first record. “Considering the relatively short time we’ve known each other, and the fact that it’s four girls thrown in together - it’s all worked out really well,” says Suzie.
The name The 411 came was chosen as a homage to the early 90s R&B singers such as Mary J Blige (Blige’s first LP was called What’s the 411?), who the girls grew up listening to and have had a clear influence on their sound.
“411 is also the number people call in America when they want information and hopefully they’ll want to know about us,” explains Tisha.
In addition to the song from Ashanti, Dionne from Big Brovaz has also provided a song for The 411 called 'Fire Dance.' However, most of the songs on the girls album, including that first single 'On My Knees', were co-written by the group themselves.
“I want to listen to the music we’re doing and think, ‘Well, if I heard that I’d want to listen or go out and buy it?” says Tanya.
The girls also do many of their own vocal arrangements and take turns with the lead vocals. “We’ve all got very different styles and we switch around on songs. Me and Suzie can do the very low notes but I can’t get as low as Suzie - she’s got a good set of lungs on her,” laughs Tisha.
The 411’s ability to take on a wide range of material can be traced to the girls varied musical tastes: Lauryn Hill, India Irie, No Doubt, The Darkness, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklyn, are just few of the artists the girls name check as influences.
As well their singing abilities, the girls have other talents up their sleeves as their CVs prior to joining The 411 reveal.
A self-proclaimed “naughty kid” through school, Surrey girl Carolyn managed to get a National Diploma in acting leading to various roles in T.V. and film before eventually joining the band.
Tisha is another thespian, having attended the famed Sylvia Young Theatre School. “Acting is one of many passions - but singing is my dream and I’m very determined: a typical Scorpio with a sting in my tail,” she says.
Another Scorpio, Tanya is a former English Karate Champion. Her role in bringing the group together has seen her nicknamed “mum”.
Suzie, meanwhile, is a former Great British Junior Athlete thanks to her skills at triple jump. She also has a degree in Business Studies. “She’s the brains of the group,” says Tisha.
With such ability and a bag of hits waiting for release, how could anybody fail to get The 411?
Source: http://www.the411.co.uk/
